Adapted Programs

Inclusive programs for individuals of all abilities.

Join activities and learn new skills in a welcoming and inclusive environment. We offer many services and programs for people with disabilities so they can have an active and healthy lifestyle. To create an accessible community, all City of Surrey indoor pools also include pool accessibility features.

Refer to our seasonal recreation guide for the most up to date programming. Email inclusion@surrey.ca with any questions.

Adapted Programs

Find an activity for you or a family member.

Adapted Swim Lessons are Changing!

Starting January 2023, all Red Cross swim lessons will transition to the Lifesaving Societies – Swim for Life program. The City of Surrey has a long-standing relationship with the Lifesaving Society via water safety programs and is fully confident in the quality of their Swim for Life program.

The new model has participants fully integrated into a class with other swimmers of the same age and skill level. Instructors will focus on the skills in a specific level rather than working with multiple students all with different swimming abilities. This allows your child to receive better instruction and prepares them to be more successful in learning skills and participating in a group setting. Your child will also have support from a staff member from the Surrey Association for Community Living.

Registering in the Right Swim Level

We recommend having your child assessed by one of our aquatic staff when visiting any indoor pool. Assessments are free and only take 15 minutes to complete but will make your child’s experience in swimming lessons much more positive. Once the assessment is complete you will be ready for registration day.

How to Register and Registration Tips

View the recreation guide to find the course code for the class your child will join
On registration day, sign up online, visit any recreation facility or call 604-501-5100
If you are unable to secure a spot for your child, you can register in mainstream lessons and provide your own support. See below for more information.

Providing Your Own Support in Swimming Lessons

Support in swimming lessons must be provided by a person 15 years or older; this can be a family member or friend and does not have to be a paid support worker. Support in lessons includes motivating, re-explaining the directions and providing re-direction when needed. If you have any questions about providing your own support, please email inclusion@surrey.ca.

My child is in lessons with a specific level. Where will we meet the instructor?

Each pool operates differently. Speak to staff on the pool deck or follow posted signs on the walls around the pool deck with the level numbers on them. Find the right one for your child and line up there.

I liked the separate lessons because there was a lower teacher to student ratio. Why can’t we continue with that model?

This new method was originally piloted by the Arenas for skating lessons and we have found that the participants are more successful when integrated into the mainstream lessons. The instructor is better at teaching when all the swimmers are in the same skill level, which leads to greater success for the participants.

How is my child’s experience in lessons going to change?

Your child will notice that there are more participants in their class, but the other swimmers will be closer in skill level to their own level. The instructors will be able to focus on teaching the skills, breaking them down and getting more in-depth with the participants. This will create a more positive and successful environment for your child.

How will my child be supported in their lessons?

Your child will still receive one-to-one support provided by Surrey Association for Community Living staff as they have in the past. The difference will be that in your child’s lesson there will only be one child receiving support rather than all three.

Community Partners

Contact

Healthy Communities
Accessibility and Inclusion
13450 - 104th Avenue
Surrey, BC Canada V3T 1V8

Tel: 604-502-6325
Fax: 604-502-6315

Email: inclusion@surrey.ca